Brewers extend winning streak to eight, crush Padres

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08/14/2008 - San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - CC Sabathia threw seven effective innings and Corey Hart went 3-for-5 with three runs batted in to help Milwaukee tie a season high with its eighth consecutive win, a 7-1 victory over San Diego.

The Brewers also won eight in a row from July 13-24, and matched the feat thanks in part to a solid outing from Sabathia (7-0), who gave up nine hits but only one run, and struck out eight. Sabathia remained unbeaten since being traded to the Brewers in early July, and is 10-0 is his last 13 starts.

Prince Fielder homered for the second straight game and walked twice, while Sabathia added an RBI in the win.

"(Fielder's) been raking every time I pitch," Sabathia said. "So I knew he was going to give me a run or two. The guys came through and scored the runs to help me relax."

Josh Banks (3-5) took the loss after surrendering all seven runs on five hits and six walks in 4 1/3 frames. Banks hadn't lost a start since July 6, but was 1-0 with three no-decisions in the four starts since.

Nick Hundley had the only RBI for San Diego, while Scott Hairston and Brian Giles each collected two hits. The Padres have lost the first two contests of this three-game set.

Milwaukee took an early edge as Fielder hit his 28th homer of the season to lead off the second inning. Hart followed with a single, but was caught stealing, before Craig Counsell and Mike Cameron walked. Jason Kendall then singled in a run, and Sabathia plated another with a ground out to short.

The Padres made it a 3-1 game in the fourth when, with runners on the corners, Hundley grounded the ball to shortstop, allowing Headley to score.

But the Brewers got that run back, and much more, in the next frame. J.J. Hardy walked with one out, and Gabe Kapler reached on an infield single. Both runners advanced on Kevin Kouzmanoff's throwing error.

Fielder was intentionally walked, loading the bases for Hart, who tripled to left field, plating three runs. That ended Banks' day as Justin Hampson came on to pitch. Counsell lofted a fly ball to center that got Hart home, increasing the Brewers' lead to 7-1.

Sabathia almost let the Padres back in the game in the home half. Three straight singles loaded the bases with none out before Kouzmanoff popped out, Adrian Gonzalez fanned and Headley grounded out to end the threat.

David Riske worked a scoreless eighth inning for Milwaukee, despite walking two batters, and Guillermo Mota worked around a one-out walk to finish the game.

Game Notes

The Brewers have outscored opponents 49-12 during their eight-game win streak...San Diego's Sean Kazmar had his first MLB hit...Milwaukee placed third baseman Russell Branyan on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 12, on Wednesday. Branyan, who is suffering from a right oblique strain, has appeared in 48 games this season and is batting .252 with 12 home runs and 20 runs driven in. To take his place on the roster, the team recalled outfielder Laynce Nix from Triple-A Nashville...On Wednesday the Padres claimed pitcher Brian Falkenborg off outright waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers.